Method and device for determining an analyte in a sample

ABSTRACT

A method for determining an analyte in a sample which includes: providing the sample in liquid phase, the analyte of which has a ligand having at least one anti-ligand specific recognition site; providing at least one reagent containing metal particles, in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from the liquid phase by a magnetic or electromagnetic force, each particle containing a metal core to which at least one anti-ligand is fixed directly or indirectly; contacting the sample and the at least one reagent in order to obtain metal clusters; placing the metal clusters in a magnetic field generated by a magnetic or magnetic field generating sensor in order to assemble the metal clusters; and detecting the assembled metal clusters to obtain a signal representative of the mass of metal in the clusters, which is correlated with the quantity of analyte present in the sample initially. A device for determining an analyte in a sample by the above process is also included.

The subject of the present invention is a method for determining an analyte which may be present in a sample.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, determining an analyte is understood to mean the detection and/or the assay of any substance, especially chemical, biochemical or biological.

The analyte to be determined may be, without any limitation, an antigen, a hapten, an antibody, a peptide, a nucleic acid fragment (DNA or RNA), an enzyme, a substrate, provided that the analyte comprises a ligand having at least one recognition site capable of binding specifically to a determined anti-ligand. Description of the prior art

According to Patent Application EP-0,339,623, a method is described for determining an analyte in a sample which comprises:

i) providing said sample in liquid phase, the analyte of which comprises a ligand having at least one anti-ligand specific recognition site;

ii) providing at least one reagent containing metal particles a few nanometers in size, in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic or electromagnetic means, each particle containing a metal core to which at least one anti-ligand is fixed directly or indirectly;

iii) contacting, especially by incubation, the sample and the reagent, optionally with another reagent, in order to obtain metal clusters;

iv) placing the metal clusters in a magnetic field, in order to assemble the metal clusters;

v) detecting, by light diffraction, the assembled metal clusters to obtain a signal representative of the mass of metal in said clusters, correlated with the quantity of analyte present in the sample initially.

The method in accordance with document EP-A-0,339,623 has the disadvantage of resorting to a means for detecting the assembled metal clusters by magnetic field, which is particularly complex, since in practice it requires a coherent monochromatic light source (laser), a diffracted light detector and processing of the light signal thus collected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is a method which uses a much simpler detection device, and which makes it possible to correlate precisely the metal mass of the assembled metal clusters with the quantity of analyte present in the sample.

Indeed, according to the invention, the metal mass of the said clusters is detected using a magnetic or magnetizable sensor generating the field which served to assemble the metal clusters, the said sensor being placed close to the sample and moved or subjected to a force caused by the assembled metal clusters, giving a movement or force signal representative of the metal mass of the clusters.

Of course, magnetic sensor is understood to mean any electromagnetic sensor and the like.

The terms ligand and anti-ligand as used in the present invention refer to any biological molecules capable of forming a ligand/anti-ligand complex such as the complexes antigen/antibody, antibody/hapten, hormone/receptor, protein/antibody, biotin/streptavidin, lectin/sugar, chelator/chelated molecule, oligonucleotide/oligonucleotide hybrid, oligonucleotide/nucleic acid hybrid, enzyme/substrate; it being understood that when the ligand is a nucleic acid fragment, it can react with either an RNA fragment or a DNA.

Antibody according to the invention is understood to mean monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, antibody fragments and antibodies obtained by genetic recombination.

Particles non-separable in liquid phase by magnetic or electromagnetic means is understood to mean particles which, in the absence of a magnetic or electro-magnetic field, are not capable of sedimenting, and which, not being sedimented, in the presence of a magnetic or electromagnetic field, are chosen based on the criterion of size, so as not to be attracted by this field.

The measurement of the metal mass of the metal clusters can be performed during or after the contacting of the sample and the reagent.

According to the invention, the magnetic sensor may be for example a magnet, integrally attached to the tray of a balance, and the metal mass of the metal clusters is measured by negative weighing, that is to say by measuring the lightening of the tray.

According to the method of the invention, there is provided:

a primary reagent comprising metal particles in suspension in liquid phase, non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, each particle containing a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly at least one anti-ligand capable of reacting with a recognition site of the analyte ligand

a secondary reagent comprising metal particles in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, each particle containing a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly at least one other anti-ligand capable of reacting with another recognition site of the analyte ligand.

In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the analyte ligand comprises at least two recognition sites, which are identical or different, of the reagent anti-ligand, sufficiently far apart from each other to allow the same ligand to be combined with two anti-ligands.

In another embodiment, the reagent anti-ligand comprises two receptor sites of the analyte ligand which are sufficiently far apart from each other to allow the same anti-ligand to be combined with two ligands.

According to another embodiment of the method, the reagent anti-ligand comprises at least two receptor sites, and the analyte ligand comprises at least two recognition sites which are specific for the two receptor sites of the reagent respectively.

According to a specific embodiment, the primary reagent and secondary reagent are identical and the analyte ligand comprises at least two identical recognition sites.

When the primary and secondary reagents are identical, the primary reagent may comprise a second anti-ligand different from the first and capable of binding to a recognition site of the analyte ligand which is different from the site recognized by the first anti-ligand.

For a determination of the analyte by competition, another so-called competition reagent is provided comprising particles in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, each particle containing a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly another ligand specifically recognized by the reagent anti-ligand.

Another subject of the invention is a device for determining an analyte in a sample, comprising:

i) a container for receiving a sample to be determined in liquid phase, the analyte of which comprises a ligand having at least one anti-ligand specific recognition site

ii) with at least one reagent comprising metal particles in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, each particle containing a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly at least one anti-ligand, having at least one receptor site of a ligand

iii) the sample, said reagent and optionally another reagent being contacted in said container, especially by incubation, in order to obtain metal clusters

iv) a magnetic means delivering a magnetic field, in which the metal clusters are placed in order to assemble them

v) a means for detecting the assembled metal clusters, in order to obtain a signal representative of the mass of metal in the clusters, correlated with the quantity of analyte present in the sample initially,

said means for detecting the metal mass comprising a magnetic or magnetizable sensor, which comprises the magnetic means according to iv), is placed close to the sample, and is moved or subjected to a force caused by the assembled metal clusters, giving a movement or force signal representative of the metal mass of the clusters.

In a specific embodiment, the sensor is integrally attached to a tray of a balance which delivers a negative weighing signal corresponding to the lightening of said tray, and representative of the metal mass of the clusters.

By way of example, the metal core of the particles of the reagent is chosen from materials which are intrinsically magnetic or magnetizable, such as complex salts and the oxides, borides, sulfides of iron, cobalt, nickel and the rare-earth elements, having a high magnetic susceptibility such as hematite and ferrites. The magnetic core of the particles comprises pure metals or alloys comprising one or more of these elements. The metal core is preferably chosen so that it is free of residual magnetism, and its mean size is between 5 and 30 nm, in particular 10 and 20 nm. The metal core may represent from 5 to 100% by weight, in particular from 25 to 65% by weight, of the insoluble particle.

The particles may comprise an envelope in addition to the metal core. The composition of the envelope is not critical, since it allows the attachment of ligands and of anti-ligands, and since it is capable of interacting with the metal core. By way of example, the envelope may be a natural polymer, chemically modified or otherwise, for example a polysaccharide such as agarose, dextran, cellulose derivates such as carboxymethylcellulose; a protein such as gelatin and a polymer of albumin; a synthetic polymer, chemically modified or otherwise, such as acrylic or methacrylic acids.

The mean size of the reagent particle is between 20 and 100 nm, in particular between 50 and 70 nm.

The reagent(s) are mixed with a liquid sample which is supposed to contain the analyte and therefore the ligand, and subjected for example to an incubation. The contacting of the sample and the reagent is performed at a determined pH which depends on the nature of the ligand to be detected. Although the contacting can be carried out in a very wide temperature range, from 2 to 95° C., the temperature advantageously chosen is room temperature or a temperature of between 37° C. and 40° C. The contacting time is determined as a function of the type of assay according to conventional operating conditions which are known per se.

Usually, a buffer is used to maintain the desired pH. The buffer solution which can be used may be chosen from a phosphoric acid buffer or a Tris buffer and the like. In some cases, salts, proteins or detergents are added to the mixture in order to avoid nonspecific reactions.

The present invention is now illustrated by the diagram in the annex and the following examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The diagram comprises FIGS. 1 to 4 according to which:

FIG. 1 represents a device for determining an analyte in a sample according to the invention,

FIGS. 2a, -2c, 3a -3b and 4a -4c correspond to the curves representing the negative weighings expressed in arbitrary magnetic unit (in μg read on the balance), as a function of time, for anti-ferritin antibody concentrations of 100 μg, 25 μg and 10 μg per mg of metal particles, respectively. For each concentration, three dilutions, 1/5(a), 1/10 (b) and 1/20 (c) were tested, and for each dilution, three tests are performed: one blank (represented on the curves by ▪), one test with 10 μl of ferritin (represented on the curves by □), and a test with 50 μl of ferritin (represented on the curves by ♦).

In accordance with FIG. 1, a device (1) of the invention consists of a standard commercial precision balance of the MeTTler MT5 type, under the top glass (2) of which is placed a magnet (3) 13 mm in diameter and 5 mm high, the magnet being integrally attached to the tray (4) of the balance through a nonmagnetic vertical axle (5). A container (6), which receives the sample to be determined, is placed on a sheet of aluminum placed over the magnet but without being in contact with it. The distance between the magnet and the vessel is 1 mm. The sample and the reagent (7) are brought into contact in the container (6).

EXAMPLE 1: Determination of ferritin

a) Synthesis of Fe₃ O₄ /Dextran T40 particles (50%)

14 grams of Dextran T40 (MW=40,000, Pharmacia) are added to 14 ml of water, and the Dextran is allowed to dissolve at room temperature in order to form a first solution.

A second solution is prepared with 3 grams of FeCl₃ ·6H₂ O (MW=270.30) and 1.3 grams of FeCl₂ ·4H₂ O (MW =198.81), in 20 ml of water.

The two solutions are introduced into a 250 ml double-jacketed reactor equipped with a stirring motor set to about 200-250 rpm, with a glass stirrer and a dropping funnel containing a 7.5% (v/v) NH₄ 0H solution.

At room temperature, the 7.5% (v/v) NH₄ 0H solution is added dropwise up to a final pH of between 10 and 11. The reactor is adjusted to 70° C. over about 60 minutes. At the end of the reaction, the solution is recovered and dialyzed thoroughly against 5 l of distilled water and then filtered on quartz wool. The solution is then centrifuged 3 times at 600 rpm for 5 minutes.

To remove the unreacted Dextran, the particles are deposited on 33×2.5 cm SEPHACRYL S300 HR gel column (Pharmacia), previously equilibrated with a 0.1M acetate buffer pH 6.5 , containing 0.15M NaCl and 0.05% NaN₃.

The metal particles obtained have an external diameter of between 20 and 900 nm, and preferably of between 50 and 70 nm, with a Dextran envelope. They are stored at +4° C.

b) Preparation of particles carrying an anti-ferritin antibody.

The particles are subjected to three dialyses against a PBS, (0.15M, 2 liters pH 6.8) buffer for 2, 4 hours and overnight respectively. These particles are oxidized, protected from light, for about 2 hours, by adding sodium periodate (0.1 M) for a final concentration in the reaction medium of 10 mM. The particles are then subjected to two additional dialyses against an NaCl solution (0.15M, 2 liters) for about 4 hours and overnight respectively. The pH is adjusted by adding NaHCO₃ to about 8. 100 μg of anti-ferritin antibodies (Bambou 8 produced by the company CLONATEC) are added to the solution containing the metal particles. The mixture is incubated for 5 hours overnight, at 25° C., with gentle stirring. The mixture thus formed is reduced by adding a sodium borohydride solution (for a final concentration of 20 mM in the total reaction medium), with gentle stirring for about 30 minutes. The mixture is dialyzed 3 times against 2 liters of a sodium phosphate (0.05M) -0.15M NaCl (0.15M) buffer, pH 7.5, for about 2 hours. The final solution contains 2.25 mg of metal particles per ml of solution, 10 to 100 μg of anti-ferritin per mg of particle.

c) Determination of ferritin

The solutions were tested as described below.

The solutions comprising 2.25 mg of particles per ml and 10, 25 and 100 μg of anti-ferritin/mg of particles, respectively, are tested after a 1/5, 1/10 and 1/20 dilution, respectively, by means of the device described in FIG. 1.

A500 μl sample of each dilute solution is added to two glass tubes, respectively, to which 10 and 50 μl of ferritin (2000 mg/ml) are added respectively. The solutions are tested against a blank containing no ferritin. The magnetic force of attraction is measured over time. The values are negative weighing values given in arbitrary magnetic units.

The results are presented in the tables below.

Anti-ferritin antibody concentration: 100 μg/mg of particles

1/5 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1         7200          8270    8900                                           1.5      11760         13270   14800                                           2        14160         15320   18050                                           2.5      15550         16160   19850                                           3        16350         16620   20710                                           3.5      16850         16910   21280                                           4        17120         17080   21620                                           4.5      17330         17200   21850                                           5        17440         17300   22000                                           ______________________________________                                    

1/10 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1        3830          3770    4230                                            1.5      6070          6160    6420                                            2        7480          7570    7840                                            2.5      8320          8430    8660                                            3        8850          8880    9220                                            3.5      9160          9200    9550                                            4        9390          9390    9730                                            4.5      9550          9520    9890                                            5        9650          9600    9990                                            ______________________________________                                    

1/20 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1        1750          1510    1400                                            1.5      2670          2420    2880                                            2        3170          3000    3540                                            2.5      3500          3400    3880                                            3        3740          3630    4160                                            3.5      3900          3780    4340                                            4        4110          3910    4640                                            4.5      4190          3990    4720                                            5        4250          4070    4760                                            ______________________________________                                    

Anti-ferritin antibody concentration: 25 μg/mg of particles

1/5 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes         Blank   10 μl                                               ______________________________________                                         0.5               0       0                                                    1                4920    5800                                                  1.5              9470   11200                                                  2               13010   14830                                                  2.5             15540   16950                                                  3               17240   18160                                                  3.5             18320   18830                                                  4               19010   19250                                                  4.5             19500   19530                                                  5               19880   19730                                                  ______________________________________                                    

1/10 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1        1540          1680    1360                                            1.5      3480          3340    2900                                            2        4900          4950    4200                                            2.5      6170          6380    5650                                            3        7160          7450    6800                                            3.5      7920          8240    7650                                            4        8480          8820    8280                                            4.5      8900          9200    8740                                            5        9210          9500    9110                                            ______________________________________                                    

1/20 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1         620           640     660                                            1.5      1230          1310    1300                                            2        1920          1960    1930                                            2.5      2479          2570    2510                                            3        2980          3080    3030                                            3.5      3410          3480    3450                                            4        3710          3780    3800                                            4.5      3960          4020    4050                                            5        4150          4190    4240                                            ______________________________________                                    

Anti-ferritin antibody concentration: 10 μg/mg of particles

1/5 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1         2550          2420    1740                                           1.5       4150          5020    3500                                           2         5600          7570    5220                                           2.5       6900          9620    6950                                           3         8100         11340    8560                                           3.5       9300         12670    9850                                           4        10350         13700   10930                                           4.5       1125         14420   11830                                           5        12150         15040   13170                                           ______________________________________                                    

1/10 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1         770          1000     840                                            1.5      1590          2070    1780                                            2        2300          3070    2650                                            2.5      3090          4080    3540                                            3        3810          5020    4330                                            3.5      4430          5780    5000                                            4        5000                  5640                                            4.5      5490                  6120                                            5        5920                  6550                                            ______________________________________                                    

1/20 dilution

    ______________________________________                                         Minutes  Blank         10 μl                                                                               50 μl                                        ______________________________________                                         0.5        0             0       0                                             1         287           364     350                                            1.5       595           734     776                                            2         920          1211    1163                                            2.5      1238          1758    1563                                            3        1563          2143    1938                                            3.5      1876          2499    2301                                            4        2155          2814    2568                                            4.5      2400          3074    2889                                            5        2628                  3103                                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2 Determination of Listeria bacteria in a biological sample

a) The metal particles used for this example were prepared in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1.

b) Preparation of particles carrying at least one antibody directed against Listeria, called hereinafter anti-L Ab.

The particles synthesized according to a) of Example 1 are oxidized, by adding sodium periodate (0.1M).

After stirring for 45 minutes, protected from particles are dialyzed against 0.15M NaCl for 4 hours.

10 μg/ml of anti-L Ab are added to the solution containing the metal particles, whose concentration is 1 mg of particles per mg of reagent; the pH is adjusted by adding HCO₃ to about 8.

The mixture is incubated for 20 hours, with gentle stirring. The mixture thus formed is reduced by adding a sodium borohydride solution, in a concentration of 12×10-³ moles NaBH₄ per mg of particles, with gentle stirring for 45 minutes. The mixture is dialyzed over-night against a sodium phosphate (0.1M) --NaCl (0.15M) buffer at pH 7.5.

The final solution contains 0.415 mg of metal particles per ml of reagent, 15.4 μg of anti-L Ab per mg of particles, that is to say about 6.4 μg anti-L Ab per ml of reagent.

c) Determination of Listeria bacteria

The reagent is tested on a heart/brain broth, identified by the reference: L. INNO ATCC, 410A 4, Lot/Ch-b 390853.

The determination is as in Example 1, carried out on a METTLER MT5 balance under the following conditions: Po Container: glass tube 10 mm in diameter and 48 mm high, Po Magnet: 13 mm in diameter and 5 mm high, north directed upwards Po Distance magnet-tube: 1 mm (approximately)

A first solution called T2, comprising 500 μl of the reagent described in b) and 10 μl of broth was tested after stirring and incubating, then a second solution, called T3, comprising 500 μl of the reagent described in b), and which will be used as control, was tested.

The results presented in the following table correspond to the values for the measurement of the magnetic force of attraction read at times To and To +4 hours, time To being the time at the beginning of the reaction, that is to say of positioning the container above the magnet.

    ______________________________________                                         Reaction time    T2      T3                                                    ______________________________________                                         To                -6000  -6000                                                 To + 4h          -18000  -6000                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The magnetic force of attraction of the metal clusters in sample T2 is therefore -12000, and will be correlated with the bacteria concentration by means of a calibration curve. 

We claim:
 1. A method for determining an analyte in a sample which comprises:i) providing said sample in liquid phase, the analyte of which comprises a ligand having at least one anti-ligand specific recognition site; ii) providing at least one reagent containing metal particles, in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic or electromagnetic means, and each metal particle containing a metal core to which at least one anti-ligand is fixed directly or indirectly; iii) contacting the sample and said at least one reagent containing metal particles, in order to obtain metal clusters; iv) placing the metal clusters into a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating sensor, in order to assemble the metal clusters; and v) subjecting said sensor to a force caused by the assembled metal clusters, giving a movement or force signal representative of the mass of said assembled metal clusters, correlated with the quantity of analyte present in the sample initially.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating sensor is integrally attached to a tray of a balance, and the metal mass is measured by negative weighing, that is to say by measuring the lightening of said tray.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one reagent comprises:a primary reagent comprising metal particles in suspension in liquid phase, non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, and each matal particle comprising a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly at least one anti-ligand capable of reacting with a recognition site of the analyte ligand; and a secondary reagent comprising metal particles in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, and each metal particle containing a metal core to which is affixed directly or indirectly at least one other anti-ligand capable of reacting with another recognition site of the analyte ligand.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the analyte ligand comprises at least two recognition sites of the reagent anti-ligand which are sufficiently far apart from each other to allow the same ligand to be combined with two-anti-ligands.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the analyte ligand comprises at least two identical recognition sites of the reagent anti-ligand.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reagent anti-ligand comprises two receptor sites of the analyte ligand which are sufficiently far apart from each other to allow the same anti-ligand to be combined with two ligands.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reagent anti-ligand comprises at least two receptor sites, and the analyte ligand comprises at least two recognition sites which are specific for the two receptor sites of the reagent respectively.
 8. The method as claimed in claims 3 and 5, wherein the primary reagent and the secondary reagent are identical.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, according to which the analyte is determined by competition, wherein a competition reagent is provided containing metal particles in suspension in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, and each metal particle comprising a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly another ligand specifically recognized by the reagent anti-ligand.
 10. A device for determining an analyte in a sample, comprising:i) a container for receiving a sample to be determined in liquid phase, the analyte of which comprises a ligand having at least one anti-ligand specific recognition sites; ii) at least one reagent comprising metal particles in suspension, in liquid phase and non-separable from said liquid phase by magnetic means, and each metal particle containing a metal core to which is fixed directly or indirectly at least one anti-ligand, having at least one receptor site of a ligand, the sample and said at least one reagent containing metal particles being contacted in said container, in order to obtain metal clusters; and iii) means for assembling and detecting the metal clusters, in order to obtain a signal representative of the mass of metal in the clusters, correlated with the quantity of analyte present in the sample initially, wherein said means comprises a magnetic field generating, sensor placed close to the sample, which generates a magnetic field in which the metal clusters are placed in order to assemble them and which is moved or subjected to a force caused by said assembled metal clusters, giving a movement or force signal representative of the mass of the metal in the clusters.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the magnetic field generating sensor is integrally attached to a tray of a balance which delivers a negative weighing signal corresponding to the lightening of said tray, and representative of the metal mass of the clusters.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample and the reagent are contacted by incubation.
 13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the sample and the reagent are contacted by incubation.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal core of said metal particles have a mean size in a range from 5 nm to 30 nm.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal core of said metal particles have a mean size in a range from 10 nm to 20 nm.
 16. The device according to claim 10, wherein the metal core of said metal particles have a mean size in a range from 5 nm to 30 nm.
 17. The device according to claim 10, wherein the metal core of said metal particles have a mean size in a range from 10 nm to 20 nm. 